4th Annual Flash Fiction Contest – R. F. Burton Library

(reposting what the delightful Miss Canolli Capalini has written in the New Babbage forum.)

Alas, I fear I have been delayed. This year’s annual flash fiction contest is running a bit behind. However, this does not invalidate it and I am happy to say, the R. F. Burton Library is proud to present it’s 4th Annual Flash Fiction Contest.

Beginning December 1st through January 15th, the R. F. Burton Library will be accepting submission of the Flash Fiction Genre. There will be a mailbox placed on the first floor of the lobbey of the library, where notecards may be submitted.. or they can be given to me directly. (Bearing in mind, of course, my IM’s do occasionally become capped).

To clarify for newcomers, Flash Fiction is a genre of writing that challenges the author. Complete a story, a moment in time, in 600 words or less. Now, this may seem impossible.. but do stop by the library and pick up any (or all) of the three volumes of “Dialogues” available there. You can see that published entries are quite entertaining and brilliant.

This year’s theme is a bit different.. Wind Up Key(s).. You may use this phrase metaphorically, allegorically, literally, mentally, physically, or in a complete abstract sense. As an image component, etc.. but the story must incorporate the idea or physical object somehow, in any way you care to do it or in whatever manner that portrays what it means to you. The only standard is it must be set in a steampunk setting.

Now, here are some rules:

1. All entries must be submitted with RFB4 and the authors name in the title of the notecard and must be submitted full perm. (example: RFB4 – Canolli Capalini). Any entries without this will be summarily destroyed and ignored.

2. All entries must have the title of the piece, the author’s name, and the WORD COUNT at the top of the notecard.

3. Illustrations are accepted and must be submitted full perm (that’s right, you can illustrate your magnificent Opus).

4. Winners of the contest will be the first story featured in the publication and will receive 5000 lindens. Subsequent runner ups will also receive 2000 lindens. (There is no loser here, ladies and gentlemen, this is merely for more incentive).

5. Just to be clear here.. the winner of the contest is chosen by me, Canolli Capalini. I am the sole judge of this shindig, and if questioned, may provide a reasonable justification of why I chose what story I did.. and I may not. I’ve been doing flash fiction for years, and have been published, so I think I have a fair idea of what I’m looking for.

6. All stories that are submitted to the contest remain the author’s property, but will be for use of the library in any way it sees fit. That means I can reprint your story, publish your story in connection with the R.F. Burton, distribute it and publish it online as part of the R.F. Burton collection. *Note: This does not mean that anyone can glean the stories from the library and republish them elsewhere without the library’s (i.e. my) specific permission. It does mean that you may submit your story to multiple contests if you choose. Should someone else solicite your participation, all well and good, but please let me know. This is to keep individuals from using this endeavor to further their own personal gains and publications.

7. This contest is open to ALL. You do not have to be a Babbagite in order to participate. However, for my own curiosity, if you are not from New Babbage (i.e. if you are from Steelhead, Caledon, etc) please note on the notecard with the title and wordcount. This has absolutely no bearing on judgement and it is only for my personal edification to see where people actually submit from. 🙂

Beginning December 1st, there will be a mailbox posted just inside the doors of the library. You may drop notecards there or submit them directly to Canolli Capalini. I will not accept any submissions prior to December 1st and none AFTER January 15th. Normally I run this contest Mid November to the end of December, but delays have shifted the time scale.

If you have any questions, please contact myself or Serafina Puchkina, the established library of the R. F. Burton Library.

Thank you for your time,
C.Capalini
Capalini Fine Furnishings

P.S. Please note. This is all in fun. The library is owned by me and run by Serafina and we do this out of our love for the written word. 🙂